The approximate area of fires in Luhansk region makes 13,000 hectares; over 2,500 people and 264 units of equipment involved in the liquidation of fire as the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported.
“Preliminary, the approximate area taken by the fire makes over 13,000 hectares. Totally, 2,557 people and 264 units of equipment involved in the extinguishing of fire,” the message said.
The rescuers added that as a result of the fire, nine people died and 17 people were hospitalized. 150 people were evacuated.
The works are held around-the-clock at all seven main fire beds.
“The fire fighting is complicated by extremely severe weather conditions (wind gusts up to 20 meters per second, long dry season), in the result of which, the fire quickly spreads on the significant square,” the message said.
In the territory of Luhansk region, over 100 fires observed in 32 settlements. The most large-scale fires took place in the forest in Novoaidar, Starobilsk, Popasnyansky and Stanytsia Luhanska areas.
On October 1, the fire spread to Stanytsia Luhanska checkpoint: some elements of infrastructure were burning.
Today, on October 2, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmygal flew to the Luhansk region to assess the scale and damage from the fires.